fact sheet 
 
Georgia Department of Human Resources 
HIV/AIDS AT A GLANCE 
The Facts  As of December 2006, Georgia had the eighth highest number of cumulative 
AIDS cases reported in the United States. Through the end of 2006, there were 31,557 cases diagnosed in Georgia. Half of these people  15,743 (50%)  have died. For cases reported during 2006 in the U.S., Georgia had the sixth highest rate of AIDS per 100,000 population.  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20,008 to 37,332 living adults and adolescents in Georgia were aware that they were infected with HIV (but did not have AIDS) in 2006.  During 2006, publicly funded testing programs in Georgia provided 124,625 HIV antibody tests, with a newly identified HIV positivity rate of 1.0%.  The Georgia AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides FDA-approved medications to low-income individuals with HIV disease who have limited or no coverage from private insurance or Medicaid. The program provides 63 medications to more than 4,300 eligible individuals. Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART), which typically includes a combination of three or four medications, costs nearly $10,000 per year per patient through the Georgia ADAP. 
The Resources  In FY 2007, Georgia received more than $35 million through Part B of the Ryan 
White CARE Act for primary care and support services (including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program).  HIV testing and counseling, are available at all county health departments and their satellite programs, such as teen clinics and family planning centers, as well as publicly funded community-based organizations, university student health clinics, and various outreach projects.  On July 1, 2007 it became law in Georgia to screen all pregnant women for HIV.  The Office of Essential Prevention Clinical Services in DHR's Division of Public Health funds 43 community-based organizations and county health departments to provide AIDS education to people at risk for HIV infection. 
For more information about HIV/AIDS, contact the Georgia AIDS Information Line at 1-800-551-2728. This service is provided by DHR, through a contract with AID Atlanta. 
Georgia Department of Human Resources Office of Communications www.dhr.georgia.gov February 2008